Update from Wadena, MN
Let us go forward together
Put on 2,848 miles since March 5, a pretty frantic pace. Gonna slow down at the Tiny Cabin this week.
Let us go forward together
We’ve been at a pretty frantic pace for the past few months. We’ve completed 34 of 36 local County & Senate District DFL conventions. We believe we are in a good position to earn the DFL Endorsement on April 25th at the Congressional District 7 Convention.
I’ve put on 2,848 miles since March 5th. If you divide that by an average of 60 miles per hour, you get over 40 hours. I like to drive, but that is a lot of windshield time. Looking forward to some downtime. Hoping to decompress at the Tiny Cabin later this week. We aren’t going to stop by any stretch of the imagination. However, the pace will be less sprinter & more marathoner. I see less windshield time and more “call time” in my future.
Such is the path I’ve chosen. Such is the path we’ve chosen as a Team. It’s a path of “…toil, tears and sweat,” as Winston Churchill said in his first speech as Prime Minister to the House of Commons. That speech concluded with this line: “Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength.”
You did it! Thank you!
We did it! More accurately, YOU DID IT! We hit our goal of $200k raised by the end of March. And we did it a week early. We were at $202,482 as of March 25. Grateful for all the support. We believe organized people can beat corporate money. Check out my thank you message on our YouTube page.
Click Here to view the video of Erik thanking donors
Weekend Recap: Conventions & Demonstrations
The Big Stone County DFL Convention is in the books. 23 delegates were on hand in Clinton. Kudos to the organizers, delegates, alternates, candidates, and guests on a successful meeting. Great to cross paths with Senate District 12 Candidate Kari Dorry & House District 12A Candidate Talitha Anderson once again, and later the same day in Pope Co. Side note, Big Stone had one of the best assortments of donuts we’ve seen so far. Thanks to Andy E. & Chris Y. for coming out to represent the campaign.
District 12 candidates at the Big Stone County Convention.
Later on Saturday, we were at the Pope County DFL Convention. The Starbuck VFW was packed & the convention was really well organized too. The precinct signs on the tables were a nice touch. If you ever have a chance to visit the Starbuck VFW, be sure to check out the ceiling tiles that honor veterans. Huge thanks to Lori K. & Evan M. for all their hard work representing our campaign.
Scenes from the Pope County Convention at the Starbuck VFW.
While I was busy in Big Stone & Pope Counties, other team members held down the fort at the Hubbard County & Senate District 13 DFL conventions.
Dan S. & my wife, Jena, were in Laporte for the Hubbard Co. Convention. Roughly 60 people in attendance. Some of the delegates there are in CD-7, while others were representing CD-8. Lots of support for the campaign in the room & lots of great conversations had with delegates.
Scenes from the Hubbard Co. Convention.
Meanwhile, at the Rocori District Education Facility in Cold Spring, Team Osberg showed up early and stayed late for the SD-13 convention. Plenty of purple in the crowd. Like Hubbard, SD-13 covers two Congressional Districts, CD-7 & CD-6. There were a little over 100 in attendance with roughly a 50/50 split between CDs. Congratulations to the local MN State House & MN State Senate candidates on securing their endorsements. Thanks to Pia L., Jim R., Evan M., and Neil F. for being on hand.
At the risk of repeating ourselves. We are super grateful for all the local unit leadership & volunteers for organizing & executing these conventions. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Our entire team has put in a ton of intent & effort the past 2 months to make sure we put our best foot forward at each stop. One of our goals was to set a new standard for what is possible in western Minnesota. Call me crazy, but I believe we have done that. So incredibly proud of our team. Also humbled & honored by the support of the voters thus far. As I’ve mentioned, I believe we are in a decent position to earn the DFL Endorsement at the Congressional District 7 Convention on April 25th. We wouldn’t be in this position without a ton of hard work by a ton of people. Thank you & keep up the good work! Your efforts ensure the process works.
Scenes from the SD 13 Convention in Cold Spring.
In addition to those who participated in Saturday’s unit conventions, thousands of people across Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District showed up & showed out on Saturday to exercise their 1st Amendment right to peaceably assemble. They joined millions across America & the globe to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances” & stand up for “Liberty & Justice for ALL.”I personally stopped in Cyrus, Madison, & Morris, and Team Osberg members represented in Hutchinson, Pelican Rapids, Little Falls, Marshall, Alexandria & beyond. Grateful another day of demonstrations was peaceful.
Scenes from Saturday’s demonstrations across CD7.
My experience
My Experience #4: (long read)
What I believe qualifies me to run for this office.
My blue-collar experience includes working a short-handled shovel.
Previous role(s): Trades/Construction Industry 1988ish-1993ish & later in life.
When I was 15, I had an after-school job washing windows & waxing floors in office buildings. My 1st job on a construction site was the summer I was 16 years old. I remember helping lift rafters. There is a trick to it. I’ve worked a short-handled shovel. I’ve poured concrete & hauled stucco up a ladder on my shoulder. I’ve tied rebar. I’ve installed windows/vinyl siding. I’ve worked in general construction. I know the proper way to wind up an extension cord.
As I’ve mentioned, I was never skilled labor. I was a grunt. I wasn’t in a union, but a lot of my coworkers were later in life.
What does this have to do with serving in Congress? Everything.
I know the value of organized labor. I’m a member of the working class. I’m not rich. I’m not trying to get rich. I’m trying to get a job done. I’m trying to lead a crew. You could even say I’m the “supe”. This crew is gonna apply a blue-collar work ethic to solve some white-collar problems. And we are gonna remember that the work is the reward as we do it. We hope you are able to join us.
Deja Vu
It happened again. By pure coincidence, we were in the same town exactly 1 year apart. We had a Hubbard County Delegate meet-up in Park Rapids on Friday, March 27th. One of the attendees pointed out that we had 1st met 1 year ago. I scrolled through my pics & whatya know, it’s true: we met in the basement of the library exactly 1 year earlier for a potluck dinner.
Our delegate meet-up in Park Rapids on March 27, and our first stop in Park Rapids was exactly 1 year ago.
The strength of this campaign comes from the relationships we’ve formed over the past 384 days. From complete strangers to 1st name basis. I experienced this at my stops in Madison & Morris on Saturday, too. The intent behind this is to create what we call a “shared reality.”
Actions you can take
Join the Team!
Sign up to get involved with Team Erik if you haven’t already. There’s room for everyone and plenty of opportunities to join the fun. No experience necessary! Head over to our website to get involved & choose your own volunteer adventure.
Invest in the change you seek
If you have already donated – or even better, set up a recurring donation – THANK YOU! If you haven’t, please help us reach our next target of $300k by making an investment today. If you prefer to send a check, our mailing address is: Erik Osberg for Congress, PO Box 550, Wadena, MN 56482. If you would like to host a private party fundraiser, click here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/SKQtMANaY0W8nGqHcpukXA2.
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